Monday, June 22, 2009

Hey guys!I just wanted to share a couple of really good recipes I've come across recently--blueberry muffins & banana bread. I'm sure you can find dozens and dozens of recipes for these two...but, I think these recipes are pretty fantastic! I hope you'll try them.

**NOTE** I doubled this recipe to make big muffins. You just fill the muffin cup right to the very top. By doubling the recipe, it made 14 big delicious muffins! :)

Banana Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, stir together the melted butter and sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla, mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the butter mixture until smooth. Finally, fold in the sour cream, walnuts and bananas. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool loaf in the pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

This is very, very good. I sometimes sprinkle in just a tiny bit of cinnamon & nutmeg, too.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I posted here. Last week just flew by! Here's what we have on the menu until the end of the month. I'll be trying some new crockpot recipes--it's just way to hot to cook something in the over for more than a few minutes. We had a great dinner tonight in the crockpot & I'll share the recipe at the end of the post. And, as usual, you'll see some repeats from my previous meal plan because we didn't end up making them as planned before.

In a slow cooker, mix together the beans, corn, and 1/2 cup salsa. Top with the chicken breasts, then pour the remaining salsa over the chicken.

Cover and cook on the high heat setting 2.5-3 hours (I cooked it on low for 5 hours), or until the chicken is tender and white throughout; do not overcook or the chicken will toughen.

Remove the chicken and cut into bite sized pieces (I shredded it...it seems to me that when you shred cooked chicken you have so much more than when you leave it whole...and I like to save a buck!). Add back to the slow cooker.

Add the cream cheese (cut into cubes to melt faster), and turn slow cooker to high heat. Heat until cream cheese melts and blends into sauce.

Serve over rice. Top with shredded cheese.

I really look forward to serving these leftovers in a tortilla--a yummy burrito!

Our favorite meal from the previous menu plan was CrockpotCreamy Italian Chicken. Not only do I love the simplicity & ability to cook it in the crockpot--the flavor is delish!! Oh, how I love the sauce! We've served it many different ways--over rice, pasta, even biscuits. I normally remove the chicken breasts and shred them up and return to the crockpot before serving. Here ya' go!

Place chicken in slowcooker. Combine salad dressing mix and water; pour over chicken. cover and cook on low for 3 hours. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and soup until blended. Stir in mushrooms. Pour over chicken. Cook 1 hour longer or until chicken juices run clear. Serve over rice or noodles

Monday, June 1, 2009

This morning I attended training at the Watermelon Patch. I think I'll really enjoy working there--they have so many fun activities, events, and parties--from laser tag to "girls just want to have fun" to art & cooking, and many more! In fact, I have several business cards which I have been instructed to give out that entitle you to ONE FREE CLASS! Check out their website to see all the classes that are available. Leave me a comment and I'll be glad to get a card to you.

After the training Mom, Mimi, Taylor, Ella, and I went to eat lunch at one of our favorite places--San Miguel. We all love Mexican food--especially Mimi & Taylor. Two people who don't eat much but can really put away some chips, salsa, & tacos!! :) Taylor also loves the music there and was shaking her groove thang in our booth!! Oh, my sweet, quiet, & shy Taylor--what happened?!?! Well, she's still pretty sweet, but she has quite the energetic & funny personality now.

Tonight I headed back to they gym after missing what seems like an entire month from working out. It was good to get back on the elliptical machine, but here it is nearing 11:30 and I'm still WIDE AWAKE! That's what happens when I don't get home from the gym until 9.

Ella had 2 firsts today! I pulled out the doorway jumper that Taylor loved as a baby. Guess what..Ella loves it, too! She's always kicking her legs and seems really strong. She just grinned and smiled at Tay and I when I put her in the jumper. I'm glad to have something I can put her in for a few minutes to keep her happy! After the jumper, I gave her a few bites of rice cereal. I think she loved it! She was starting to fuss since the jumper wore her out & she fell asleep shortly after that so she didn't eat much. But, we'll try again tomorrow. I'll take some pics and post them.

Well, I guess I'll go lay down & hope that I fall asleep soon.I hope everyone else had a great Monday!